| Author |  Topic  |
Joolz
 United Kingdom
310 Posts
Joined: 05 Mar 2004
Status: offline |  Posted - 07 Mar 2004 : 12:25:47  
| Having just looked up florida wildlife on the internet I am now scaring myself silly about holidaying in Florida.
How many of you have ever come across an alligator, bear, panther, snakes, deadly spiders??????
Are you more likely to find them in villas near lakes, swamps etc???
Last time we holidayed as a family there we went to east coast and kids swam in sea- the next day a young boy paddling in the same beach area was attcked by a shark.
will someone reassure me????? | | Report this post to a moderator |
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blott
 United Kingdom
21274 Posts
Joined: 22 Feb 2002
Status: offline | Posted - 07 Mar 2004 : 12:45:41
| There's a whole heap of info about Florida wildlife here http://www.orlandovillas.com/florida_guide/wildlife.asp
Well, you'd have to be really lucky to see a bear as there aren't very many of these.
Florida panthers usually live in the Everglades and very rarely come further north.
Snakes are around (as they are in the UK) but we've never seen one in 10 years of frequently visiting Florida (except in the Serpentarium!).
There are Black Widow spiders but I've never seen one of those either.
There are alligators almost everywhere there is water in Florida. Normally, they don't bother you if you don't bother them and it's illegal to feed them (as with many other Florida wildlife). Just keep a respectful distance and remember they can run fast. The ones you may see around home communities are normally quite small and are removed once they start getting bigger.
Seeing different wildlife is what makes a holiday in a foreign country different from going to somewhere like Blackpool for instance. Respect the wildlife, keep your distance, don't feed anything and it will respect you.
There are wonderful bird spotting opportunities, fantastic butterfies and a whole host of other unusual and interesting things to see if you keep your eyes open. |
Blott
www.orlandovillas.com/villas/150.aspx
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Ruth
 United Kingdom
6672 Posts
Joined: 13 Feb 2002
Status: online | Posted - 07 Mar 2004 : 12:52:46
| We have been to Florida so many times that I have now lost count the only wildlife mentioned above that we have seen are small alligators and these have been in the water and we looked at them from a distance. We have never seen a snake or a large spider.
We have seen plenty of other wildlife which was fantastic, racoons, armadillos, birds of prey, lizards and best of all wild dolphins |
Ruth
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esprit
 USA
6886 Posts
Joined: 11 Feb 2002
Status: offline | Posted - 07 Mar 2004 : 15:27:51
| Alligators yes. You see them, there are millions here. You leave them alone, they leave you alone. Most are small, three or four foot. You see the odd big one. Just steer clear. Feeding them iks the big no no and what gets people into trouble.
Panthers or bears. You would be very very lucky if you saw one. I live here and would love to see either. They are rare and keep themselves to themselves. They live mostly within conservation. The only time you may see a bear is just before the hibernate when they come out looking for food to fatten up. If you lived on the edge of a state park, then you may see one. If you are lucky!! They are quite small and not like grizzley bears.
You see the odd snake if you live here. Most of them here are not poisonous. Again, leave them alone. I doubt you would see one on a two week holiday. Deadly spiders. No, never seen one!
You also see lots of armadillos and raccoons and beautiful tropical birds. But a lot of people will come here for two weeks and never see anything. It depends where you are, whether you are in I-Drive or out in the country. |
Julie |
Edited by - esprit on 07 Mar 2004 15:30:35 | | Report this post to a moderator | goto top of page |
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chrizzy100
 USA
7101 Posts
Joined: 26 May 2003
Status: offline | Posted - 07 Mar 2004 : 15:59:16
| quote:
Originally posted by esprit
Alligators yes. You see them, there are millions here. You leave them alone, they leave you alone. Most are small, three or four foot. You see the odd big one. Just steer clear. Feeding them iks the big no no and what gets people into trouble.
Panthers or bears. You would be very very lucky if you saw one. I live here and would love to see either. They are rare and keep themselves to themselves. They live mostly within conservation. The only time you may see a bear is just before the hibernate when they come out looking for food to fatten up. If you lived on the edge of a state park, then you may see one. If you are lucky!! They are quite small and not like grizzley bears.
You see the odd snake if you live here. Most of them here are not poisonous. Again, leave them alone. I doubt you would see one on a two week holiday. Deadly spiders. No, never seen one!
You also see lots of armadillos and raccoons and beautiful tropical birds. But a lot of people will come here for two weeks and never see anything. It depends where you are, whether you are in I-Drive or out in the country.
We saw a dead bear on the side of the road we thought it was an old carpet..until we saw it in daylight......we only saw snakes around where you live Julie......hehehehehehe.....
Most of the people who get to see a lot of snakes and stuff are the locals who move in when very few homes are finished and the ground is still being cleared.....my neigbours had trouble with bears for a while......and snakes....but that stop a year or so ago..... | | Report this post to a moderator | goto top of page |
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esprit
USA
6886 Posts
Joined: 11 Feb 2002
Status: offline | Posted - 07 Mar 2004 : 16:07:05
| Yes unfortunately you do see a lot of roadkill. We saw a deer on the entrance to Celebration ( as you leave 1-4) the other day. Such a shame. And loads of raccoons. It would be horrible to see a bear. So be careful when driving at night through forested areas.
If you do see a snake or anything like that in or near a villa, dont try and tackle it, call the villa management company. Terry will love me for saying that!!!! He has a big stick at the ready |
Julie | | Report this post to a moderator | goto top of page |
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chrizzy100
USA
7101 Posts
Joined: 26 May 2003
Status: offline | Posted - 07 Mar 2004 : 16:23:57
| quote:
Originally posted by esprit
Yes unfortunately you do see a lot of roadkill. We saw a deer on the entrance to Celebration ( as you leave 1-4) the other day. Such a shame. And loads of raccoons. It would be horrible to see a bear. So be careful when driving at night through forested areas.
If you do see a snake or anything like that in or near a villa, dont try and tackle it, call the villa management company. Terry will love me for saying that!!!! He has a big stick at the ready
A deer would wreck your hire car if you hit it......
So much building is going on the snakes get up and move.....they don't like the feel of all the heavy machine moving over the ground......and one of the joys of living with near neigbours is the fact you'll see less of them then if you have lots of garden around you.......
Also people renting should remember to keep the garage doors closed....and the door from the garage closed....if a snakes going to get in......that will be his route.....most of the time......
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littlemonkey
United Kingdom
4 Posts
Joined: 04 Mar 2004
Status: offline | Posted - 07 Mar 2004 : 17:09:21
| Hi, we have always enjoyed looking at the florida wildlife from a distance! We have seen armadillos, lots of alligators and a few snakes but no spiders yet. We have usually seen these from the car though and it has always kept us entertained on long journeys. Im not sure i would be keen on seeing an alligator near the villa!! This holiday we are staying in a villa on a new development which has a conservation area, im now a little concerned that there may be a snake or alligator near the villa. I have watched too many programs where gators are rescued from back yards and pool areas i think... Im sure it will be fine though and they will keep their distance from us as we will them!
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sunseeker
 United Kingdom
352 Posts
Joined: 02 Apr 2003
Status: offline | Posted - 07 Mar 2004 : 21:42:44
| My sister had a tarantula drop onto her windscreen whilst she was driving around kissemmee, she cooly switched on the wipers and knocked it off. The scary thing is, she was driving a convertible with the top down 
dave | | Report this post to a moderator | goto top of page |
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chrisj
 United Kingdom
3273 Posts
Joined: 28 May 2003
Status: offline | Posted - 07 Mar 2004 : 21:49:05
| There was an aligator in the lake behind the Villa that we stayed in last year, we went near
to have a look, but far enough away for safety
When we stayed on the Gulf coast we had some of those Pelican thingies dive bomb us on the
beach once
In Canada when I stayed with some Family, they had bears and everything that would just appear
which being a townie scared the ***** out of me, but they were used to it and laughed at me
when I used to open the front door and run like a madmen to the car |
Chrisj | | Report this post to a moderator | goto top of page |
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bridget
 United Kingdom
302 Posts
Joined: 19 Apr 2004
Status: offline | Posted - 01 May 2004 : 12:04:10
| When my husband and I were in Florida about 5 years ago we were out walking and there were lots of trees and shrubs around and we were literally surrounded by about a dozen spiders in their webs - they were the size of your hand (I'm not joking!). They were very colourful, orange, black and white but I wouldn't want one of them one me!
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anna maria freak
 United Kingdom
101 Posts
Joined: 22 Apr 2004
Status: offline | Posted - 01 May 2004 : 13:28:35
| LAST YEAR WHILST DRIVING ALONG CANADA DRIVE(JUST OFF I DRIVE) A HUGE TORTOISE WALKED OUT IN FRONT OF OUR CAR, MY HUSBAND STOPPED AND PICKED IT UP AND PLACED IT IN THE GRASS, HE SAID IT MUST HAVE WEIGHED 20 POUNDS THINGS LIKE THIS REALY MAKE A HOLIDAY AS DOES SEEING MANATEES SWIMING FREELY AROUND THE COAST, IF YOU PAT YOUR HAND ON THE WATER THEY WILL SWIM OVER TO INVESTIGATE SUCH BIG GENTLE CREATURES, SHARKS ON THE OTHER HAND, PAUL HAS CAUGHT SEVERAL WHILST FISHING OFF NEW SMYRNA BEACH WHICH IS ON THE ATLANTIC COAST BETWEEN COCOA BEACH AND DAYTONA,NEW SMYRNA HAS IN THE PAST FORTNIGHT HAD 9 SHARK ATTACKS BRINGING THE TOTAL THIS YEAR TO 18 MAKING IT THE HIGHEST IN THE WORLD, THE TOTAL WORLDWIDE BEING 35IN SAYING THAT SHARKS ARE ABUNDANT OFF THE UK, AND HOW MANY SHARK ATTACKS DO WE HAVE? WILDLIFE NO MATTER WHERE YOU ARE WILL LEAVE YOU ALONE IF YOU LEAVE IT ALONE,JUST ENJOY THE PLEASURE IN ACTUALY SEEING IT AS INTENDED NOT CAGED
LORRAINE | | Report this post to a moderator | goto top of page |
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chrizzy100
USA
7101 Posts
Joined: 26 May 2003
Status: offline | Posted - 01 May 2004 : 15:35:19
| quote:
Originally posted by anna maria freak
LAST YEAR WHILST DRIVING ALONG CANADA DRIVE(JUST OFF I DRIVE) A HUGE TORTOISE WALKED OUT IN FRONT OF OUR CAR, MY HUSBAND STOPPED AND PICKED IT UP AND PLACED IT IN THE GRASS, HE SAID IT MUST HAVE WEIGHED 20 POUNDSTHINGS LIKE THIS REALY MAKE A HOLIDAY AS DOES SEEING MANATEES SWIMING FREELY AROUND THE COAST, IF YOU PAT YOUR HAND ON THE WATER THEY WILL SWIM OVER TO INVESTIGATESUCH BIG GENTLE CREATURES, SHARKS ON THE OTHER HAND, PAUL HAS CAUGHT SEVERAL WHILST FISHING OFF NEW SMYRNA BEACH WHICH IS ON THE ATLANTIC COAST BETWEEN COCOA BEACH AND DAYTONA,NEW SMYRNA HAS IN THE PAST FORTNIGHT HAD 9 SHARK ATTACKS BRINGING THE TOTAL THIS YEAR TO 18 MAKING IT THE HIGHEST IN THE WORLD, THE TOTAL WORLDWIDE BEING 35IN SAYING THAT SHARKS ARE ABUNDANT OFF THE UK, AND HOW MANY SHARK ATTACKS DO WE HAVE? WILDLIFE NO MATTER WHERE YOU ARE WILL LEAVE YOU ALONE IF YOU LEAVE IT ALONE,JUST ENJOY THE PLEASURE IN ACTUALY SEEING IT AS INTENDED NOT CAGED
LORRAINE
I'd make sure that kids don't touch any tortoises..turtles..etc....they carry food poisioning bugs......if anyone has to move one..don't use your bare hands...make sure you wash your hands really well after or just go around it leaving well alone...they have a very nasty bite and some can reach right around their shell..............the same goes for areas around dustbins......raccoons carry a lot of illness...if your bin is knocked over by one use gloves and lots of bleach....and watch out for ticks..... |
Edited by - chrizzy100 on 01 May 2004 15:37:54 | | Report this post to a moderator | goto top of page |
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Jules
 United Kingdom
1851 Posts
Joined: 24 Feb 2004
Status: offline | Posted - 22 May 2004 : 00:18:11
| We once saw a large black snake in typoon lagoon, an american woman drew our attention to it by shouting "Honey don't torment the snake" to her young son who was chasing it through a flower bed, I really don't like snakes and was a little concerned.... OK I was terrified... but fortunately so was the snake and it disappeared into the undergrowth. A disney worker assured me that it was completely harmless, but I still kept one eye open while sunbathing. The only other wildlife we saw in the park that day were lots of rabbits in and around the lanscaped areas and the lizards of course both of which I thought were cute. We've also seen the odd small alligator in the lake at Celebration and lots of turtles.
I saw a programme on the T.V about brown recluse spiders which worried me as apparently you can find them in Florida.... I don't like spiders either... so the first thing I buy in Publix is a large can of ant and roach killer to spray around all the doors of the villa, I don't know if this would work on spiders but I feel better knowing I've got it to hand!!
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Julie
http://www.orlandovillas.com/florida-vacation-rental-1510.aspx | | Report this post to a moderator | goto top of page |
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Sharon G
 United Kingdom
2902 Posts
Joined: 08 Nov 2003
Status: offline | Posted - 22 May 2004 : 09:50:02
| On our last visit to our villa we made quite a few trips to the garden centers to get plants and shrubs for our garden.
We had quite a big hire vehicle and Paul crammed in as many plants and things poosible.
On the way home, I was sat in the back with our youngest son when I heard some "rustling"
I told Paul to stop the car and went to search the plants!!!
We had a baby snake in amongst the plants!!!!
Anyway we evicted it very carefully. So just be aware if anyone's purchasing plants/shrubs....check them before you put them in your car.
Thankfully "our snake" was harmless
There was also lots of little spiders (which I hate) crawling around the car
Next time I'm having them delivered. |
http://www.orlandovillas.com/Villas/1120.aspx
Sharon | | Report this post to a moderator | goto top of page |
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NigelM
120 Posts
Joined: 28 May 2003
Status: offline | Posted - 09 Mar 2006 : 15:56:36
| Hi
What is the likelihood of snakes:
1. Getting the pool area?
2. Getting into the villa?
Am I at higher risk in Crescent Lakes than say Formosa Gardens?
Cheers
Snakeaphobic Nigel | | Report this post to a moderator | goto top of page |
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Macka
 United Kingdom
1349 Posts
Joined: 06 Sep 2005
Status: offline | Posted - 09 Mar 2006 : 16:08:49
| Nigel,
Really, don't worry about it. Again, I've been going to Florida for twenty odd years and I saw a small snake once, that was on Siesta Key on the Gulf coast and as soon as he was aware we were close by, he was gone in a flash. The likelyhood of you coming into contact with one is very remote.
I can agree with the tortoise/turtle thing. I've caught turtles fishing and their bite is ferocious, their necks extend much further than you'd imagine so don't go anywhere near one.
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chrizzy100
USA
7101 Posts
Joined: 26 May 2003
Status: offline | Posted - 09 Mar 2006 : 16:21:55
| quote:
Originally posted by NigelM
Hi
What is the likelihood of snakes:
1. Getting the pool area?
2. Getting into the villa?
Am I at higher risk in Crescent Lakes than say Formosa Gardens?
Cheers
Nigel (Snakeaphobic)
Just keep the front door closed along with the garage door...everywhere else has a screen...it would be hard for a snake to get in if the screen is fitted right....
I would check the water before letting kids jump in.....but its really not that common to find any thing in the screened in area... | | Report this post to a moderator | goto top of page |
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vanessag
 United Kingdom
266 Posts
Joined: 04 Jun 2005
Status: offline | |
andrewandcarole
 United Kingdom
2555 Posts
Joined: 14 Jan 2004
Status: online | Posted - 17 May 2006 : 20:01:24
| quote:
Originally posted by NigelM
Hi
What is the likelihood of snakes:
1. Getting the pool area?
2. Getting into the villa?
Am I at higher risk in Crescent Lakes than say Formosa Gardens?
Cheers
Snakeaphobic Nigel
I agree with the above Nigel - don't worry. You are not likely to see a snake. Yes - they are around but modern villas are designed to keep them out.
Carole |
Carole
http://www.orlandovillas.com/Villas/1279.aspx | | Report this post to a moderator | goto top of page |
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Jill
United Kingdom
1845 Posts
Joined: 23 Feb 2003
Status: offline | |
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alligators, bears and panthers
